What exactly do you mean by intense summer sun? Like what temperatures?

Here in San Jose, California it's common to have 90F in summer. And we had a few weeks of over 100F this summer. The temperature might seem to fine, but I think the intensity of the sun is the issue since there is no afternoon shade at all in my backyard.

I have a garden strip like this, although we're not nearly as hot as you. I'll wait for folks in your climate to suggest which roses, but I have suggestions for companion plants. Have you tried native penstemons? They're perennials but would naturally rest in your shady season. There are many that grow well in the hot sunny southwest (where I used to live...the sun is STRONG there)

Also, you might try some annuals that may eventually reseed like cosmos. Both cosmos and penstemons do well in my north side of the fence strip. They rest in winter though ( but so does everything here).

IF the shade provided by your fence is causing your headache, a fence producing less shade can offer relief. For instance: Welded wire on a post and rail fence. Or nix the welded wire, if not needed.

@librarian_gardner_8b_pnw Thank you! I have tried one penstemon called Thorn, but it developed bad mildew during spring😅. So I moved it to a full sun location and it seems to be much happier. I am too lazy to plant annuals, LOL. I prefer long lived perennials.

@rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ) This is the fence we shared with our neighbor. Without it, we will stare at each other in the backyard, haha.

What do you mean by north facing fence? Are you planting on the south or north side of the fence?

@charles kidder on north side.

How tall is the fence? Can you grow climbers or just shrub-type roses?

If single rose could be an option, I highly recommend New Face. It is one of the most shade tolerant rose in my Seattle garden (less than 3hr direct sun) and I saw it thrived in San Jose Heritage Rose Garden in full sun. It blooms in large cluster and always looks great.

Another super star in shade is Country Dancer. Although HMF says it repeats occasionally, it does repeat great in my garden from spring to fall. Very large blooms. I'm not quite sure if CD is heat tolerant, though. Maybe someone grows it could help.

This photo shows them both in mid July. New Face on the left and Country Dancer on the lower right.

Vaporvac, yes, climbers might actually work better than shrubs in that spot. But somehow I am afraid to try climbers. Climbers sounds lots of trouble😵‍💫. I don't want to carry a ladder every time when I deadhead spent flowers, haha.

Feiy, your Country Dancer is such a beauty! I especially like the way the outer petals looks paler than inner petals, giving it such a beautiful coloration. I will look it up.

How tall is the fence in question? Is this an area where you have to worry about Passers by Getting snagged?

@KJ (9B, San Jose CA)

If you would try a single, and you have a bit of space, I can recommend Darlow's Enigma.

Like you I was looking for something to grow as a very large shrub against my north facing wall in zone 11. Same situation, zero full sun six months of the year, then blazing heat the other six. It's doing great and bloom clusters that waft amazing scent. Very tough rose... verymean thorns though! But this one requires minimum care and performs beyond expectations.

Vaporvac, the fence is 6 feet tall. It's shared with our neighbors to separate our backyards.

@seasiderooftop Thank you for the recommendation of Darlow's Engima! Yes, that's exactly my problem: "zero full sun six months of the year, then blazing heat the other six"!!! But sadly I am not into single roses.

Last question! LOL! How long is the fence?

LOL, not sure about the exact length of the fence. But I just measured the garden stripe, and think I should be able to plant 6 roses there (3 feet apart). I might be getting too greedy😁